LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday directing the Probation Department to expand contact visits at juvenile facilities and eliminate a requirement for prior approval by the chief probation officer.
The motion by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell seeks to implement Assembly Bill 1646, known as the Hug Act, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last week and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
The law makes appropriate physical contact during in-person visits a legal right for incarcerated youth across California, according to the motion.
"We have a long way to go to fix our juvenile system, but establishing the right of these young people to hug their loved ones is one small way we can bring some humanity back in," Hahn said Tuesday. "Safety has to be our priority, but there should be room for kids to be able to hug their moms. I am beyond proud of the young people who inspired this legislation and poured themselves into getting it passed and signed into law. Now we need to make sure this law is implemented at our LA County juvenile camps and halls and implemented right."
Probation officials reported in March that they were working to allow contact visits with prior approval from the chief probation officer on designated, pre-scheduled days. The motion says youth at county facilities still do not have regular access to contact visits.
The proposal directs the chief probation officer to revise the department's visitation policy so contact visits no longer require prior approval and the new policy is ready for implementation by Jan. 1.
It also requires the department to create and distribute materials informing parents and youth of their right to physical contact and stating that contact cannot be restricted as a disciplinary consequence.
The department was directed to progressively increase in-person contact visits at all county juvenile facilities for the rest of the year and submit a written compliance plan to the board within 60 days.
The Probation Department said Tuesday it supports the changes called for under the new state law and has been working to expand family contact.
"The Los Angeles County Probation Department recognizes strong family connections are essential to a youth's well-being, rehabilitation, and successful reentry. The passage of the Hug Act is the type of culture change we support and have been working toward," the department said in a statement.
"Since late 2025, the Department has been updating its visitation policies to strengthen family engagement, including allowing hugs during visits on special occasions such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day. As we prepare to implement AB 1646, we are building on this work to provide consistent opportunities for appropriate, consensual physical contact during visits, while at the same time maintaining a safe environment for youth, families, and staff."
The plan must include procedures for youth who do not want to participate in a contact visit, assurance that declining a visit will not affect future visits and standards for any temporary restrictions based on specific and significant safety or security concerns.
The motion also calls for two written reports, prepared in consultation with the Probation Oversight Commission, on the status and effects of contact visits. The first is due July 1, 2027, and the second Jan. 1, 2028.
The reports will include visitation participation at each facility, feedback from youth and families and the number and basis of any restrictions on contact.
The legislation originated with youth incarcerated at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, who asked to be able to hug their families hello and goodbye during visits, according to the motion. Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles, developed the bill with the youth.
"Every child should have the right to physical contact with parents who love them. The Hug Act affirms that right and ensures the humanity of our young people isn't deprived at a time in their life where love and care is more important than ever," Bryan said. "I'm grateful LA County is stepping up, and hopeful all of California will begin to fight for the rights of our youth."
Hahn, Bryan, advocates and formerly incarcerated young people rallied outside the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration Tuesday morning ahead of the board vote.
"We all deserve to hug our families," said Lawrence Bowie, who was formerly incarcerated at Los Padrinos. "My personal experience shows that having a parent or loved one in your corner while you go through hard experiences can help you recognize that there's more to life than incarceration."
Mitchell credited youth in the county's probation halls, their families and advocates with helping bring about the legislation.
"I want to thank the advocates, families, and - most importantly — the young people in our probation halls whose lived experiences and voices helped make the HUG Act possible. A hug is deeply human, and coming from a loved one, it can make all the difference in supporting the healing and well- being of the young people in our care," Mitchell said.
Dozens of formerly incarcerated youth, relatives of incarcerated young people and youth justice advocates spoke during public comment Tuesday in support of the motion, according to Hahn's office.
"In our current system, we tell young people that we want them to rehabilitate. Yet they are denied the most basic form of human comfort — a hug from their mother or father," said Chevonda Perry, whose son is incarcerated at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. "Until you live it, you can't comprehend the torture of sitting across from your child, who is struggling and afraid, and being barred from reaching out to hold him and comfort him."
The motion says families have given positive feedback about contact visits already offered on some pre-scheduled days.
"The best thing about the Mother's Day visit was hugging my son, praying with him, and giving him mama kisses," one parent said, according to the motion.
"Keep doing it. It helps the kids feel more love," another parent said.
City News Service
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Los Angeles Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.